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Amalfi Coast + Croatia Itinerary Help Needed

My husband and I are planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast and Croatia. We are planning to go from 10/9/15 - 10/18/15. He and I are in our young 30s and are seeking a fun and romantic trip with a mix of relaxation, beautiful views, wine, fine dining, and some adventurous excursions. We were preferring to spend ~2-3 nights on the Amalfi Coast and the other ~6-7 nights in Croatia. We will likely be starting our trip by flying from LAX or San Diego into Rome.

We are curious what itinerary you may recommend for the Amalfi Coast in 2-3 nights? We were thinking about basing ourselves in Positano and did not know if it would be better to do a day trip to Ravello or to stay one night in Ravello? Or would you recommend basing ourselves out of somewhere different? Additionally, what is the easiest /most cost efficient way to get to Positano from Rome? We were thinking of doing a day trip to Capri to see the blue grotto and were curious what other things you might recommend?

Additionally, we would like to see a couple locations in Croatia and were thinking about visiting Dubrovnik and Hvar and/or Vis or Split for 6-7 days. We would also be okay basing ourselves out of 1-2 locations and doing day trips from there. We are more interested in boating excursions to small remote islands and/or visiting the national parks than we are in seeing any ruins. Any particular excursions that you would recommend and from where would we take these excursions? We were curious what might be a realistic itinerary that offers some of these types of activities, shows us some of Croatia, but isn't so ambitious that we just spend all of our time traveling from one location to another. Additionally, how easy is it to travel between locations within Croatia?

In terms of travel, we are trying to balance time and efficiency with cost. We would prefer not to rent a car and would like to spend more of our time at the locations than traveling between them (such as flying from Rome to Dubrovnik instead of having to determine lengthy transportation from Amalfi Coast to Bali to Dubrovnik by Ferry). However, if the travel between is part of the view and excitement, then we could also change our minds. We were thinking of flying from Rome into Dubrovnik and then flying out of Split or Zagreb back to LAX/San Diego depending on flight costs, but we weren't certain how easy it would be to travel to these different locations within Croatia. What is the best recommended method of traveling within cities in Croatia at this time of year? This may also determine some of the itinerary.

We would be very appreciative for any of your tips on Amalfi and Croatia itinerary: locations to stay, day trips to take, restaurants, as well as the best and most cost/time efficient methods for traveling between locations on the itinerary. Basically anything that you would like to contribute, we would like to hear. We thank you in advance for any of your thoughts!

To be honest, with only 2-3 nights (1-2 full days) I would skip the Amalfi Coast and visit only Croatia. There is more than enough to reward you in Croatia and this would make for a more relaxing trip.

There are usually no direct Italy - Dubrovnik/Split flights after mid September.
But you are chancy: this year, there is a vueling flight FCO dp 19.25 - DBV ar 20.40 on Oct 12th as well as another vueling flight FCO dp 7.50 - SPU ar 9.05 on October 13th (fare around 50 USD).
There are furthermore some Croatia airways flights Rome - Split for about 250 USD/pax.

Although I think that the travel times between Amalfi and Croatia would make me think twice about seeing both on a short holiday, if you do decide to visit Amalfi Coast, the journey from Rome to Positano by public transport is either a) train to Naples, local train to Sorrento, bus to Positano or b) train to Salerno then bus to Positano. About a half day's travel. I believe that there is also a bus from Rome but that it is infrequent. There are, of course, private transfer services if you've deep pockets.

Ravello can be visited from Positano by either a) bus to Amalfi then bus to Ravello or b) ferry to Amalfi then bus to Ravello.

You are traveling in shoulder season and will find that ferry schedules have been reduced from the high season. While still running - if the seas are not too rough - schedules may be very sparse.

Also note that the blue grotto is weather dependent - if the seas are not perfectly flat the opening is too small to get through. At best you can enter via a row boat while lying on the bottom - the opening is too small for you to get in sitting up. But there is much else to see on Capri as long as you are prepared and not disappointed if the blue grotto is not possible.

It seems that you don;t have fixed plans yet and I strongly suggest you start studying some guide books so you know what YOUR must sees are - ad have an idea of conditions at that time of year (very likely will no longer be beach weather).

One of our absolute favorite trips was an Amalfi Coast and Croatia trip - BUT - we had twice the time you have and it was in July. We flew easyjet from Rome to DUB and Split back to Rome for 14€ each way. But not sure easyjet even still flies that route in October. Also, ferries in both places cut back on routes by that time in the season, and also are less likely to run if the seas are rough. Not that it can't be done, but you have more challenges. Enough so that I agree with the post above suggesting you perhaps only do Croatia.

I remember it being a long day getting to Sorrento (and we live on the US east coast) so you have a longer flight and want to get all the way to Positano. So that day would be not only completely used up but very tiring. If you do decide to keep the AC I'd suggest staying in Sorrento and doing one day trip to Positano/Amalfi/Ravello and one to Capri. But I'd save the AC for sometime when you can spend at least 4-5 days.

I agree with dreamon -- consider putting all of your time in Croatia for this trip. And note that even if you do so, you will have to be very selective about what you want to do there, as you could easily spend far more time in Croatia.

And I second nytraveler's recommendation to consult some good guidebooks -- always a good investment, IME, but you can also look at some in your local library.

Even though you are young, you are coming off very long flights and then the travel from Rome to the AC. The trek from Rome to Amalfi will take 3-4 hours in the end, by time you get to your hotel. Exhausting.

Amalfi is certainly worth the trek, but not for only 1 day, which is what you would have with 2 nights. Even another day and night would be rushed for what you seem to want - a relaxing vacay. You mentioned Capri and Positano. Do you not have any interest in seeing Pompeii while you are so close? It is such a major, major archeological site, but maybe it does not appeal. If it does, you need another day for that.

After that, you would have another 3/4 day of travel (counting total travel time, door to door) getting to Croatia from the AC.

Anyway, Croatia is beautiful too, so with your time frame, I echo what others have said. Skip the AC this time. Rather than spend so much of your time just getting to places, spend it in places.

BTW, don't miss having a drink and sitting for awhile at the Buza Bar in Dubrovnik. It is outside the wall and may be a little hard to find at first go, but worth the search. If you have walked to the center of Dubrovnik, heading towards the harbor, the bar will be outside the city wall to your right. If you are walking the wall, you can see part of it from above. Keep an eye out. There used to be a small sign pointing to it. The bar literally hangs on a cliff overlooking the sea, with chairs and tables sitting on the rock ledges. Google some images.